From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Rochester, NY

I would like to start a three category contest, 1- Tall sunflowers, 2- Wide headed sunflowers and 3- Tall corn category.
If we get a strong interest I will do all the organizing, rules etc. Maybe get some prizes together.

1/31/2011 12:07:09 AM

Columbus,ohio

im in.

1/31/2011 12:41:33 AM

bliss,n.y.- heart of Wyoming County

I am in!

1/31/2011 10:30:55 AM

Billerica,Massachusetts

sounds good

1/31/2011 1:00:25 PM

New Richmond Wi

Steve,Received the seeds today.Team Pete&Lorelee is in.

1/31/2011 5:53:04 PM

Alabama

We are in.

1/31/2011 6:12:00 PM

Castleton,Vermont

i would be interested, sign me up !!!!!

1/31/2011 10:03:48 PM

Rochester, NY

When signing in indicate which category you want to compete in, Tall SF, Tall corn or wide headed SF's. I'm going to try all 3. Also, place pictures in your diaries throughout the season and offer secret tips if you have them. Anyone have any ideas for prizes? I still have a fair amount of good proven seed to get people started.

1/31/2011 10:12:10 PM

Gays Mills,WI

Springwater/Team Jacobus #2 Wide Headed Flower

1/31/2011 10:35:27 PM

Columbus,ohio

I to would like to sign up for all three...creesbees@yahoo.com

1/31/2011 10:49:17 PM

Thuringia/Germany

Steve, in Challenge 1&2 i'm interested.

2/1/2011 6:59:17 AM

Billerica,Massachusetts

1 and 2 for me glenn

2/1/2011 8:35:29 AM

Castleton,Vermont

tallest sunflower and widest sunflower head for me

2/1/2011 1:46:32 PM

Alabama

All three for us. you don't have to go to a weigh off do you? because we don't live next to one.

2/1/2011 4:28:13 PM

Team Canuckle Heads

I'll give it a shot.

2/1/2011 5:44:55 PM

Chapman, Nebraska

I'm in for all 3, sign me up!
bcyboron@hamilton.net

2/1/2011 6:52:09 PM

Somerset,Ky

I'm in too 2 & 3

2/1/2011 7:10:14 PM

Somerset,Ky

I'm in too 2 & 3

2/1/2011 7:10:14 PM

Rochester, NY

Alright this is starting to get some momentum!
Pumpkin Bell, I've been thinking that over and come up with two ways to validate an entry. Entries have to go to a weigh off or taken to your counties department of weights and measures. I did that last year when my pepper ripened in early September.

2/1/2011 9:12:52 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Okay, count me in!!!! Peace, Wayne

2/1/2011 10:24:55 PM

Netherlands

You are going to have to reach a consensus on how to measure all three first as it varies from show to show.

International rules state that corn is measured from the bottom of the stalk (without roots) to the tip of the longest tassle.
Sunflowers are measured from the bottom of the stalk (without roots) to the tip of the tallest petal.
Sunflower heads are measured across the BOTTOM of the head from the tip of the left petal to the tip of the right petal.

Sometimes heads are measured using OTT, but this is not an accepted internation rule (though perhaps it should be).

I grow all three, by the way.

2/2/2011 3:37:54 AM

New Richmond Wi

Category 1 and 2

2/2/2011 11:21:25 AM

Wv

im in just to beat steve!!!!! treetop LOL

2/2/2011 1:02:46 PM

Wv

also wayne! tt lol

2/2/2011 1:03:11 PM

western PA

i'll be in for tall and wide sunflowers

2/2/2011 2:38:37 PM

Johnston, Iowa

I'm in for Tall Corn. Now, I grow tall Field Corn. For the Tall Corn contest is field corn what we're using? If that weird 30' tall Mexican corn is allowed, then I'm sunk.

It's all good, I just want to know.

2/2/2011 4:03:54 PM

Rochester, NY

Dutch Brad, the tall sunflowers and corn will be measured like you mention. Being that every contest measures sunflowers heads differently it will be hard to compare sizes and declare the winner. I wrote an article about this problem,
http://www.giantgardening.com/artcl_measuringsunflowers.phpI don't know how we could ever get this method implemented but if we could we could start to get measurements that are consistent. Thoughts anyone?

2/2/2011 6:05:56 PM

Rochester, NY

Pumkinman Dan, send me an email and we'll get you set up with some of that weird Mexican corn, steve@giantgardening.com

2/2/2011 6:07:52 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

1st, Dan...sorta think that how tall it is, wins...!!! quick look thru the list and so far no one from Mexico is in!!! Steve, congrat on startin this, and the only 2 options that I know of for measuring wide sunflower heads...are w/ or w/out leaves ? Edge of seed head, or edge of leaves around the seed head? Peace, Wayne
PS...I vote, for seed head only!!!!!

2/3/2011 4:26:44 AM

western PA

i would say for the measurment of largest seed head, that the easiest way would be to place the head see down on a table and place two blocks of wood on either side of the head and measure the distance that way.

2/3/2011 9:32:55 AM

Boulder County Colorado USA planet Earth

hmm can i get some seeds to?

2/3/2011 10:02:38 AM

Waynesboro, Virginia

Steve, seeds arrived safely today.That makes my daughter and I in on TALL and we both thank you very much.This should be fun.

2/3/2011 1:38:26 PM

Rochester, NY

At the top of the article are 3 pictures showing what I think is the most accurate way to measure sunflower heads.

http://www.giantgardening.com/artcl_measuringsunflowers.php

I think most growers are in agreement, but, how do we get all the weigh-off sites to adopt this method? Let's start a SF revolution, LOL. Print out the pictures and gently persuade the official measurer to measure it the "new official way". If we run into complications maybe the heads should just be for fun as shown through diaries?

2/3/2011 4:26:34 PM

Wv

treetop, im in with tall sunflower and corn and lg flower. thanks TT

2/3/2011 5:29:05 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Aaron (CCW), send an email addy, if you can? I can help w/ big head sunflowers & tall corn, and yer commercial lope thing, I think!!! Peace, Wayne

2/3/2011 5:39:54 PM

Johnston, Iowa

Thanks Grower Steve, will send you an email!

2/3/2011 5:40:41 PM

Netherlands

Steve, any fair or organization can choose any way they want to measure sunflower heads, as long as everybody does it the same and it is agreed upon before the competition starts.
Perhaps a fair can measure both ways, one for its own records and one for your competition should you choose to measure them over the top.
I lost a sunflower head competition as a kid because mine was folded double and they used the leaf to leaf way. I ended up last but had the largest sunflower head using the OTT method.
Guinness only accepts the tip to tip across the bottom way.

2/4/2011 4:29:30 AM

Springfield Mo

yes count me in

2/4/2011 10:02:38 AM

Springfield Mo

Category 2 and 3

2/4/2011 2:23:27 PM

Rochester, NY

DB, some of the heads that are in a curve shape are some of the biggest! That's why I like the OTT method, it doesn't penalize a head that isn't perfectly flat. Here's how they will be measured for this contest.
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryView.asp?season=2011&grower=53662&action=L
Now we have to start thinking of some fabulous prizes.

2/4/2011 6:22:23 PM

Wood River, IL (kennyw_49@yahoo.com)

sound like fun, as soon as i get some seeds I'll give it a go.

2/5/2011 10:29:02 AM

3 acre corner in Whittaker,Mi USA (faulkner5@msn.com)

Count me in for the tall and wide sunflower!!! Erik F.

2/8/2011 3:06:23 PM

France

I'm in for tall corn and sunflower.

2/9/2011 6:39:30 AM

Englehart, Ontario

I'm in for tall corn and tall sunflower too. Thx

2/9/2011 6:45:00 AM

Rochester, NY

Hey Whiz, Englehart where?

2/16/2011 9:42:46 PM

Englehart, Ontario

Northern Ontario

2/17/2011 7:30:39 AM

Williamsburg,KY

Im in for all three. What the heck! Now just to figure out how to get it official measured? If you dont take it to a Weigh Off, then can you use your Local County Cooperative Extension Agent to verify measurement?

2/17/2011 9:37:18 AM

Rochester, NY

Hi Croley and welcome to the contest. If you can't make it to a weigh-off your county department of weights and measures will measure it for you. Last year I had a pepper mature in late august and my local dept of W&M had a great time with it. They even give you an official form.

2/17/2011 5:04:11 PM

Leerdam, The Netherlands

I am in for all three

2/18/2011 1:58:17 PM

Wi

count me in for tall sunflower

2/18/2011 7:17:34 PM

Uk .

please add myself for tall corn and tall sunflower we may not get enough heat in the uk to beat any records for tall corn but i willing give a shot. thanks darrell

2/19/2011 12:14:57 PM

Wi

I'll start a hydroponic category! Big head

5/27/2011 2:45:12 PM